1879.] LESSONS IN DRAWING, ETC. 87 



finger or thumb of the hand you intend holding the rod ; take the 

 rod between the fore-finger and thumb about 6 inches from the top, 

 and allow the rod to hang down plumb, keeping the line tight and 

 the rod just clear of the ground. He will thus be at liberty to move 

 easily backward or forward, as he may be directed — moving, as it 

 were, on the circumference of a circle, ready to drop the rod into the 

 exact spot wanted. By this means right-angle lines can be set off 

 without a line at all. This simple instrument is also very convenient 

 when measuring a piece of ground preparatory to drawing a plan, as 

 it is important to have the correct outline, and the positions of any 

 trees or other objects, properly ascertained ; and this can only be done 

 by following a similar course to that just described and illustrated in 

 fig. 63. If a plan of fig. 63 was required, and the measurements to 

 be taken on the ground, similar lines to those shown would have to 

 be sticked out and measured from, and the measurements marked 

 upon a rough sketch in note-book, before the plan could be pro- 

 duced on paper. I have been thus particular to show how a plan can 

 be correctly laid down without the aid of the centres from which 

 they may have been drawn on paper, because I think it sometimes 

 of importance. But however important it may be in connection with 

 geometrical flower-gardens to have everything exactly to fit, I do not 

 wish it to be understood that I would be very particular as to a few 

 feet or inches in laying out such a design as is given in fig. 37. If 

 the ground was all of an even surface, of course there would be no 

 need to deviate in the least from the plan ; but if the ground has 

 been made, or is naturally undulating, the outlines will in many 

 cases vary considerably from your plan — the eyes here taking the 

 place of the compass, to make the curves suit the ground. It will be 

 easily understood that an undulating surface is of greater area than a 

 plain surface of the same dimensions, and for that reason it would 

 not be possible to follow exact geometrical rules ; and if it were pos- 

 sible, it is not desirable, as any one with a good eye can make lines 

 suitable to the ground with less trouble than by the rules of geometry. 

 I believe landscape-gardeners generally have a great abhorrence to 

 anything of geometrical stiffness coming in contact with their few 

 and easy-flowing lines. With this, to a certain extent, no one will 

 differ ; but I think some landscape-gardeners carry their ideas, in 

 some instances, too far in the direction of a wild garden where there 

 is no space for that purpose — and many gardeners err as far in the 

 other direction in having too much of the ginger-bread style. 



And now I must take leave of those of my friends who have 

 followed me to the end. In my endeavours to go over and be 

 understood on all points mentioned in our programme, I am afraid 



